Pottsgrove Manor - Pottsown, PA - 18th Century Manor

Located at 100 West King Street in Pottstown in Pennsylvania, Pottsgrove Manor was the home of John Potts and his family. Potts was an ironmaster and merchant. In addition to being appointed as the Justice of the Peace and Judge for the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, Potts was also elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

Pottsgrove Manor was originally built in 1752 on a plantation that consisted of roughly one thousand acres, but little of the original property still exists. In fact, only four acres remain of what was once the original property, but the mansion was restored to recreate the times and lifestyle of John Potts, his family, and their servants. The architecture of the manor house is early Georgian, which was popular in the mid-18th century with the English gentry.

The exterior of the manor is sandstone, and the interior includes fine furnishings. There is a "Hands-on-Room'' in the manor that is used for educational demonstrations. In addition, there is an exhibit entitled "The Plantation Whereon I Live.'' The exhibit tells some of Potts' story and how Pottsgrove Manor began. The plantation was originally one of many furnaces and iron forges located in southeastern Pennsylvania. It grew to include other businesses, such as a store, a brewery, a tavern, and mills. The area eventually became known as John Potts' Town, which is where Pottstown gets its name.

Pottsgrove Manor's normal hours of operation are 10:00am - 4:00pm Tuesday through Saturday. On Sunday, normal hours of operation are 1:00pm - 4:00pm. The manor is closed on Mondays and holidays.

Pottsgrove Manor features different types of tours. For example, during the holiday season, the manor is sometimes home to Twelfth Night Tours. Twelfth Night Tours show guests how an upper-class home prepared for the holidays during Potts' time. This tour includes educating visitors on what went on behind the scenes in order to organize a household of servants. The regular daily tour enables visitors to walk the grounds, enjoy the landscape, and view the gardens. The regular daily tour typically lasts 45 minutes. It is recommended that groups of ten or more call to make reservations prior to their visit.

Another type of tour that is sometimes offered at the manor is the Pottsgrove Manor by Candlelight Tour. During this tour, visitors explore the manor by candlelight. Workshops, such as a paper marbling workshop, are also offered. Special tours may have a recommended donation (typically $2 per person). Workshops may have fees associated, and specific date ranges may apply to both tours and workshops. Additional information on tours, workshops, group reservations, fees, or donations can be obtained by calling Pottsgrove Manor directly at 610-326-4014.

Pottsgrove Manor is located in the historic district of Pottstown and is also on the National Register of Historic Places. The manor is also home to some community events, such as the Pottsgrove Manor's Colonial May Fair Celebration. There is a gift shop on site for visitors who would like to purchase a memento to commemorate their visit.